Over 170 merchants in Japan newly provide exclusive privileges for UnionPay premium cards

(Source: Internet)

With the expansion of UnionPay’s acceptance network in markets outside mainland China, it is increasingly convenient to use UnionPay cards, and UnionPay’s service for particular groups of cardholders is also improving. From now to July 31, 2017, more than 170 merchants in Japan will provide exclusive privileges and services for cardholders with UnionPay platinum cards and diamond cards (card number starting with 62, collectively called “premium card”) issued around the globe.

To date, over 5.4 billion UnionPay cards have been issued worldwide, and the number of premium card holders is increasing. The 17 national banks in mainland China have all issued UnionPay premium cards, and Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea are promoting UnionPay premium cards. Conforming to this tendency, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Japan, and markets in Southeast Asia, where quite a number of UnionPay premium cards have been issued, are actively building privilege platforms for premium cards, regarding the platform as a crucial component of UnionPay card-using service system. These platforms not only provide exclusive services for premium card holders visiting the market, but also, as in markets like Hong Kong and South Korea, offer extra privileges for UnionPay premium cards issued locally.

UnionPay Premium Card Privilege Platform in markets outside the Chinese mainland mainly offers two types of services and benefits: First, value-added services like Global Assistant Service, UnionPay VIP Lounges, and Airport and Hotel Pick-up Service. Second, special benefits offered by global merchants and local merchants, including member benefits at DFS Duty Free and various privileges and services offered by shopping centers, hotels, car rental companies and museums. Now, UnionPay cards are accepted at over 18 million merchants outside mainland China. With the rich card-using privileges and offers, it is not only convenient and safe but also beneficial to use UnionPay cards.

The UnionPay Premium Card Privilege Platform in Japan has three features: First, it covers more types of merchants, including art galleries and museums as well as merchants favored by premium cardholders like Michelin-starred restaurants. Second, it provides more types of benefits, including discount, VIP room, free parking and Chinese-language shopping assistance. Third, it is very convenient to enjoy the privileges. Cardholders can log in https://unionpay-premium.com to get information and make online reservation, and the website provides five languages, namely Japanese, English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional and Korean.

In addition to the merchants covered by the privilege platform, many more merchants in Japan offer privileges and services to all UnionPay cardholders. Merchants like Matsuya, Tokyu Hands, and Yodobashi erennial offer exclusive offers to UnionPay cards all year round, and in UnionPay International’s latest “Top 50 Selected Tourist Destinations” marketing campaign, UnionPay cardholders may enjoy exclusive privileges at over 150 merchants in Kansai, covering sightseeing, catering, and shopping.

Now, 80,000, that is more than half of all, ATMs in Japan accept UnionPay cards for cash withdrawal. And about 500,000 merchants accept UnionPay cards, covering duty-free shops, department stores, appliance chain stores, convenient stores and drug stores. Since last year, the payment amount of UnionPay cards takes up the biggest market share of foreign tourists’ spending in Japan.